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DFB Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke AG Postfach 141 CH-6490 Andermatt |
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+41 41 888 00 40 +41 848 000 144 |
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Our Highlights
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The Highlights of the Canton of Valais Selected National Highlights The Highlights of Central Switzerland More National Highlights |
| Thanks to our central position near five Alpine passes, a romantic journey on our famous steam train can be
included into practically every interesting Swiss travel arrangement. We’d like to introduce you to the most important attractions which can be combined with a journey on the Furka Cogwheel
Steam Railway. |
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Example: Exploring the Goms
Take an impressive round trip by bus in the upper part of the Rhone valley, including a tour of the well tended
villages with sun-bleached wooden buildings, visits to magnificent baroque churches, and to the ice cave in the Rhone glacier. A brief detour to the music village of Ernen, is worthwhile. Ernen has
been preserved in its original style - one of the most beautiful mountain villages of the Valais. Guided tours by locals are available on request.
Example: A Trip to the Glaciers by Cable Cars
The Aletsch glacier is the largest flow of ice in the Alps and is a particularly beautiful sight. The viewing points
over this unique natural spectacle are easily reached, even for elderly visitors, thanks to the cable cars Riederalp-Hohfluh, Bettmeralp-Bettmerhorn and Fiesch-Eggishorn. We would be glad to surprise
your guests with a sun-rise journey to the glacier, which can be combined with a break-fast in the slow moving cable car.
Example: A Nature-Safari for Sporty Visitors
Discover the mountain summer by shanks’s pony. Explore the beauty of nature from close to. Let the game ranger
teach you to see the wild animals. Marvel at the treasure of a famous crystal collector. Travel in a raft down the wildly foaming river Rhone, or listen to the chirping of the birds.
Example: Saas Fee or Zermatt / Matterhorn
From these well-known resorts, there are cable cars and trains that take you up to the stunning mountain scenery. Once
you have reached the summit stations you can enjoy a panorama over the highest mountains of the Alps.
Example: Magical Mountain Lakes, Wild Gorges
Our water is dear to us and it is always a popular motif for a picture, whether it lies peacefully in a magnificent
mountain lake or whether it is forced down the rivers from the melting of the glaciers. The Valais offers even more: a fine example is the Dixence reservoir, in a side valley near Sierre called Val
d’Hérémence, featuring the highest curved dam in the world (866 feet/284 m high). Also, near the canton’s capital of Sion, you can explore the subterranean lake of
St-Léonard by rowing-boat.
Example: A Gourmet Round Trip in the Valais
Eat and drink yourself through the Valais! Many exquisite fruit and vegetables grow in
the fertile Rhone Valley and on its sunny slopes. They are turned into exquisite dishes
as directly from the fields as possible. Many cheese specialities are made from the
spicy Alpine milk. Some are world-famous, as for example the Raclette cheese. During
a short walk through the vineyards we’ll give you an introduction into the fine
art of wine-growing, which has evolved over generations. Wine-tasting in the cellar
of a traditional wine-growing family will round off the explanations of the wine
experts. The visit to a distillery, where Valais fruit is made into delicious spirits,
is very popular too.
A Railway Adventure on the Glacier Express
Within the track connections of the Glacier-Express, the regions on both sides of the Furka mountain are important.
The red train, which has been a tourist attraction ever since 1930 can be boarded at Fiesch, Oberwald and Andermatt. All of these options offer interesting program combinations.
How about an excursion over the Oberalp pass (6,197 feet/2033 m) to have lunch in Disentis, where you can visit the unique baroque church of the monastery of St Benedict. For a part of the journey you’ll want to travel by the secure traction of the modern rack-and-pinion Furka-Oberalp train. To take then the bus from Disentis and combine it with a return trip over the Lukmanier pass is an interesting option which will be rewarded by a serpentine road winding up the Gotthard mountain or to the Nufenen pass.
How about an excursion over the Oberalp pass (6,197 feet/2033 m) to have lunch in Disentis, where you can visit the unique baroque church of the monastery of St Benedict. For a part of the journey you’ll want to travel by the secure traction of the modern rack-and-pinion Furka-Oberalp train. To take then the bus from Disentis and combine it with a return trip over the Lukmanier pass is an interesting option which will be rewarded by a serpentine road winding up the Gotthard mountain or to the Nufenen pass.
The Attraction of more than one Pass in a Day
Although the Furka pass is not suitable for big coaches all year, nobody has to forego a winding journey with amazing
views from the top, since, in the near vicinity, there are six more similarly spectacular passes which are easy to get to by good roads. Once you have made it to the top, you will be rewarded by
refreshments in one of the pleasant restaurants of the traveller’s hospice. If you would like to see more Alpine passes in one day, we recommend the following passes: Susteri (6,779 feet/ 2224 m
above sea level); Grimsel (6,599 feet/2165 m); Simplon (6,111 feet/2005 m); Nufenen (7,553 feet/2478 m); Gotthard (6,425 feet/2108 m); Lukmanier (5,840 feet/1916 m); Oberalp (6,230 feet/2044 m). The
passes that are closed in winter are usually open between mid June and mid October, provided that there are no surprise snowfalls. Even in high summer this can’t be ruled out completely and
occasionally results in the temporary closure of the passes.
To Chamonix by Mont-Blanc Express
Since June 1997, the Mont-Blanc Express has run between Martigny and Chamonix via Châtelard. This newly
established direct connection, which is driven by AC and DC powered engines, is ideal to be combined with the Furka steam-train program.
Example: Andermatt Summit Adventure
In the 13th century travellers and traders started to use the Gotthard pass. Before those strong young lads ventured
out to make the exhausting ascent over the main Alps, they gathered their strength in the inns of Andermatt and Hospental. Today, there are friendly hotels and numerous restaurants for travellers. In
this central position in the heart of Switzerland it is worth planning a stay, in order quietly to explore the holiday area of Urseren. From Andermatt new panorama cabins of the powerful cable car
can take you up to the mountain crest in about 16 minutes, where the Gemsstock mountain (9,025 feet/2961 m) awaits you. In fine weather, you’ll be able to see about 600 mountain summits from the
top.
Example: Andermatt and The Gotthard Pass
There is a museum of life in the valley in Andermatt, and a Gotthard museum on the Gotthard pass, which give an
abundance of interesting information about Swiss history and transport in the Alps from previous centuries. The fate of the traders depended to a large extent on the wild river Reuss in the narrow
Schöllenen gorge. The Devil’s bridge in this gorge is a testimony to the great battle by the locals against the wild water of the river which was so hard to tame.
Example: Following the Traces of William Tell
Who hasn’t already heard about the Swiss national hero? Friedrich von Schiller made him a world-famous figure
with his dramatic interpretation of the legend. The search for his traces will take the traveller to the Lake of Lucerne, on the banks of which Tell used to live. During an interesting round trip you
can visit the „Tellsplatte“, the „Rütliwiese“ as well as the „Hohle Gasse“ (the hollow way) of Küssnacht at the foot of the Rigi mountain. A boat trip on the
lake could add some variety (maybe even with one of the five paddle steamers). You can even meet Tell in person and watch the „apple shot“.
As an additional attraction, we can recommend the visit to the demonstration cheese-making facilities at „Schwyzerland“ in Seewen in the canton of Schwyz.
As an additional attraction, we can recommend the visit to the demonstration cheese-making facilities at „Schwyzerland“ in Seewen in the canton of Schwyz.
Example: A Stroll in the Old Town of Lucerne
Lucerne also came into being as a result of the old Gotthard trading route being established. A day trip, including a
boat trip on lake Lucerne, and a visit to the town itself, where according to the legend the Miracle of the Light occurred, will be a treat for your guests. They will have a wonderful time, strolling
through the fascinating historical town centre, among many magnificent buildings, and through narrow alleys. The highlight of every visit to Lucerne is the walk over the 14th century Kapell bridge.
Various museums and art galleries offer interesting options, as for example the Traffic Museum, showing regularly up-dated exhibitions on rail-ways, postal services, communications, motor vehicles,
air-craft and space technology. The Glacier Garden is a museum of mountains, geology, the ice age, and settlements in Switzerland, and then there is the Lion’s Monument and much more. Down on
the river Reuss you’ll find snug restaurants and bars, where you can have a rest and refreshments.
Pilatus - Lucerne’s Mountain with a View
Rail-way fans shouldn’t miss a trip up Pilatus (6,462 feet/2120 m) with its wonderful view. The golden round trip
consists of a journey from Alpnachstad to the top of Pilatus Kulm by the steepest rack-and-pinion train in the world (at a gradient of 48%), and down again on the other side via Fräkmüntegg to Kriens, near Lucerne, by cable car.
The Rigi Mountain Train Adventure
Rigi mountain is the classic viewing point of Switzerland, and it is also important in the history of the rail-ways.
In 1871 the first rack-and-pinion train in Europe was opened there. It starts from Vitznau down on the Lake of Lucerne and takes the travellers up to the top of Rigi Kulm (5,477 feet/1797 m), where a
marvellous panorama of summits can be enjoyed. Down at the foot of the mountain the Lake of Lucerne spreads its arms and the silvery surface of Lake Zug gleams in the sunlight. Your eyes glide over
the lower part of Switzerland, where in the north you make out the Jura mountain chain and the Black Forest in Germany. The preliminary Alps and the main crest of the Alps can be seen in the south
and west, while in the east the Säntis mountain towers over the Appenzell region. For the descent, you also have the option of a round trip on the Rigi mountain by taking another rack-and-pinion
train to Arth-Goldau, which was opened in 1875.
From Glaciers to Palm-Trees
Once you have seen the ice of the glaciers, maybe you would also like to get to know the milder part of southern
Switzerland. Going over the passes, the Ticino can also be discovered in a day-trip. This time the round-trip takes you over the Nufenen or Gotthard passes to Bellinzona and Locarno. Maybe there is a
little time left to visit Ascona, or the Brissago island with its gardens featuring botanical attractions from all over the world.
After a pleasant lunch on the banks of lake Maggiore, you can take the Centovalli train from Locarno. On a one-meter gauge the comfortable carriages take you through varied countryside with lush vegetation, rugged gorges and wild mountain rivers, with many dramatic viaducts to cross before reaching Domodossola (Italy). Small villages, of which some are nearly deserted, greet you from the mountain slopes.
A bus trip over the modern Simplon pass road (6,111 feet/2005 m) to Brig bears many surprises, be it imposing road constructions, sheer rock faces, lovely Alpine meadows or unique views down into the valley.
After a pleasant lunch on the banks of lake Maggiore, you can take the Centovalli train from Locarno. On a one-meter gauge the comfortable carriages take you through varied countryside with lush vegetation, rugged gorges and wild mountain rivers, with many dramatic viaducts to cross before reaching Domodossola (Italy). Small villages, of which some are nearly deserted, greet you from the mountain slopes.
A bus trip over the modern Simplon pass road (6,111 feet/2005 m) to Brig bears many surprises, be it imposing road constructions, sheer rock faces, lovely Alpine meadows or unique views down into the valley.
| Have we captured your interest? Please get in touch with our travel service. We are happy to help you arrange your next group visit to Switzerland. And we’ll prove that the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway can be integrated into every itinerary. Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke Reisedienst, Postfach 141 CH-6490 Andermatt Schweiz
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| 13.03.2010 DFB AG / www.furka-bergstrecke.ch/eng/train/highlights.php |